Launch 101: Bootcamps vs. Colleges

Coding bootcamps seem like all the rage these days. Thousands of people are enrolling in and graduating from them, opting for this newer learning method than a traditional college education. But do they live up to the hype? And, more importantly, are they the right fit for you?

The Comparison

So, what exactly makes a coding bootcamp different from a college?

From the time commitment and price to the teaching methods and takeaways, we've got the rundown for you.

Bootcamps

Colleges

Time Commitment

8 - 12 weeks

2 - 4 years

Price

$10k - $20k

$50k - $200k

Primary Educational Focus

Learning practical skills and coding languages currently in demand by hiring managers

Learning skills that are used in academia and computer science theory

Instructors

Possess modern programming language skills that keep up with the industry

Focused on academia career and theory that doesn't change; disconnected from industry

Teaching Methods

Intense pace with collaborative learning with students and developer mentors, learning by building real apps

Slow pace with lectures, book readings, take-home assignments, and grades

Class Size

Instructor to student ratio of 1:7

Small classes of 30 to lectures of 100's

Takeaways

Practical, applicable knowledge that you can use on the first day of your job as a developer

Understanding of theory and how computers work

Ideal For

Cost conscious career switchers seeking a hyper focused learning environment to attain a job they are passionate about

People starting out their career that have time and are seeking a more diverse education in many fields

Career Services

Interview with hiring partners at graduation that are ready to hire; average placement rates of 3 months

Standard career services offered by colleges, including job fairs

Ask Yourself

Now that you’ve gotten the rundown on coding bootcamps and understand their differences from colleges, there are a few important questions that you need to ask yourself.

What are your learning goals? Do you want to learn more about computer science theory and algorithms or do you want to walk away with web programming projects under your belt and a portfolio of apps that you created?

If your goal is to become a computer scientist or someone who understands the theoretical foundations of computations, definitely pursue that 4-year computer science degree. However, if you’re more gung-ho about learning the current in-demand skills in a shorter amount of time and are eager to get into a work environment with like minded people to continue your learning on the job, a bootcamp is right up your alley.

Where do you want to be in 2-3 years? Do you still want to be in school or would you rather have a couple years of experience under your belt by that point?

By the time someone graduates with a computer science degree, a bootcamp graduate will have already been working for 2-3 years.

What Is Launch Academy?

Launch Academy is a 10-week immersive bootcamp that gives eager learners with little to no coding experience the tools they'll need to add value as a junior contributor to a professional software engineering team. Here's a quick rundown of our programs in Boston and Philadelphia: